STEEL TYPES

Read more about the different steel types in the articles below.Please contact us if you have questions concerning steel or the choice of steel for your project.

STAINLESS STEEL

Stainless steel is characterised by containing a minimum of 10.5 per cent chromium. Stainless steel is fairly corrosion-resistant. This is due to the high content of chromium, as the chromium seals the surface of the metal with a thin, passive layer of insoluble oxides.

If you are in doubt as to which type of stainless steel to choose for your project, you can learn more below or call us and we will help you choose the right type of steel.

Stainless steel comes in a variety of qualities. It is the composition of materials that determines its quality. The table below lists the composition of materials of different types of stainless steel:

ALUMINIUM

Aluminium is a light, strong material with a high corrosion resistance. In addition to being light and strong, aluminium has a series of other characteristics:

• Easy to work with
• High corrosion resistance
• Conducts heat and electricity
• Reflects light and heat
• Resistant to light, water, aroma and flavour
• Flexible
• Reusable

ALLOYED AND NON-ALLOYED ALUMINIUM

Aluminium is typically alloyed with one or more additives, as pure aluminium or non-alloyed aluminium is fairly soft. To increase its breaking strength alloying elements are added to the aluminium or it is subjected to cold processing.

Traditionally, laser cutting of aluminium has only been possible for aluminium alloyed with magnesium (the 5000 series) which does not damage the dynamic parts of the CO2 laser cutter.

However, we have an advanced fiber laser cutter at our disposal, enabling us to cut through any type of alloyed or non-alloyed aluminium.

FROM ALUMINIUM OXIDE TO METALLIC ALUMINIUM

Aluminium comprises approx. eight per cent of the Earth’s crust, making it the most abundant metal here. In nature aluminium is found as aluminium oxide. Through electrolysis aluminium oxide is transformed into metallic aluminium.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY ALUMINIUM

Primary aluminium is aluminium produced by electrolysis, whereas aluminium that is melted down and reused is called secondary aluminium. The production of secondary aluminium only requires approx. three per cent of the energy consumption involved in the production of primary aluminium. For the production of tradable alloys – especially casting alloys – aluminium manufacturers today use a combination of primary and secondary aluminium.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF ALUMINIUM (99.99 AI)

• Density at 20º C: 2,698.9 kg/m3
• Melting point: 660.2º C
• Boiling point: 2,450º C
• Thermal conductivity at 20º C: 220 W/mº C
• Electric conductivity: 38.5m/Ohm mm2
• Elasticity modulus: 65,000 Mpa

IRON

There are a number of different types of iron with different characteristics. We can help you choose the right material for your project.

TYPES OF IRON

There are many different types of and names for iron. Below is a select list:

• Fe37
• SJ235 (S235)
• st.240
• st.52 / S355 /domex 355
• st.52.3 / S355MC /J2+N
• st.50 / C35E / E295
• St.60 / C45E / E335
• Domex 240
• Domex 420
• Domex 700
• Hardox
• Corten

COLD-REDUCED METAL SHEETS

Cold-reduced metal sheets are hot-rolled plates flattened when cold. This increases the tolerances and improves the surface. Cold-reduced metal sheets are typically used as surface coverings of domestic appliances or steel cabinets for the industry. The thickness of the plates varies from 0.5 to 2.0 mm.

TYPES OF COLD-REDUCED METAL SHEETS

• Regular DC01 sheets
• Galvanised plates with zinc – a standard 275 g/km2 solution or an eco-friendly 100 g/km2 solution
• Special aluzinc coverings
• Lacquered plates

HOT-ROLLED PLATES

Hot-rolled plates are flattened when hot and has a rough surface with a wide or high tolerance. Hot-rolled plates have a thickness of 5-16 mm. They are used for wind turbines and agricultural machinery.

PICKLED HOT-ROLLED PLATES

Hot-rolled plates have a rough surface. To achieve a smoother surface, the plates may be pickled. Pickling involves cleaning the surface in a pickling bath, creating a more attractive finish. Subsequently the plates may be processed in a laser processing plant.

Pickled plates are cheaper and have a surface quality that matches the 2.99 mm DC01 sheets previously used.

TURNING AND MILLING MATERIAL TYPES USED WITH ASSEMBLY PARTS